Service Manager - Part time

We’re launching a brand-new Day Rehab Programme in North Northamptonshire and are looking for a Service Manager to help shape and lead it from the ground up. 

This is a part-time role (21 hours per week, with flexible working patterns available), offering the chance to build a service that will make a real difference in people’s recovery journeys.

You’ll also support the development of a new LERO, helping it grow towards independence and sustainability, while working closely with the Regional Manager and wider partners.

What you’ll be doing

This is a hands-on leadership role where you’ll balance operational delivery with strategic input.

• Lead delivery of the Day Rehab Programme (Self-Help Addiction Recovery model)
• Support the setup and development of a new LERO service
• Line manage a Lead Counsellor, Administrator, and LERO staff
• Work with the Regional Manager on strategy, business planning, and service improvements
• Build and maintain strong relationships with commissioners and key stakeholders
• Ensure accurate data, timely reporting, and full audit compliance
• Monitor performance against service level agreements and targets

What We're Looking For

• You'll be confident leading services in a fast-moving environment, with the ability to support both people and performance.
• Experience in service management within health, social care, or substance misuse
• Strong leadership and team management skills
• Confidence working with data, reporting, and compliance frameworks
• Ability to develop partnerships and work collaboratively with external stakeholders
• A proactive, organised, and solutions-focused approach
• Commitment to safeguarding, quality, and continuous improvement

As this is a part-time role, it may particularly suit a practising counsellor, therapist, or other health and social care professional who wishes to combine service leadership with an existing private practice or portfolio career. However, we welcome applications from all candidates who can demonstrate the skills, experience, and availability required for the role.

No two days will be the same, you might be shaping service delivery in the morning, supporting your team through supervision in the afternoon, and reviewing performance data or meeting commissioners later in the day.

Some flexibility is required, including occasional evening or weekend work, and travel within the region may be necessary.

This is a rare opportunity to help design and embed a brand-new service from day one. You’ll play a key role in shaping recovery pathways, building a strong team culture, and ensuring high-quality support for service users.

Please see attached Job Description for full details

About Us

We are The Forward Trust, the social enterprise with charitable status that empowers people to break the often interlinked cycles of crime and addiction to move forward with their lives. For more than 25 years we have been working with people to build positive and productive lives, whatever their past. 

We believe that anyone is capable of lasting change. Our services have supported thousands of people to make positive changes and build productive lives with a job, family, friends and a sense of community.

We are committed to our cause and the work we carry out as a charity. Equally the wellbeing and the employees who work for us are also important. Joining us an employee, we will offer you the following benefits - 

• Flexible working
• Training and development opportunities
• Simply Health Cashback Scheme (optional)
• Season Ticket Loan Scheme 
• Cycle to work scheme
• Crisis Loan Scheme
• Electric Car Scheme
• 3 x Wellbeing Days (pro rata for part time employees)
• Access to Blue Light Card
• 25 days (rising to 30 with length of service) Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays 
• Contributory Pension Scheme – Employer matched contributions of up to 6% in the first two years’ service and up to 9% thereafter 
• Death in Service Payment (2x annual salary)
• Critical Illness Insurance (subject to qualifying criteria)
• Please note that we may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

Diversity at Forward Trust

The Forward Trust commits to providing opportunities to everyone. We want to ensure we have a diverse team with a range of lived and professional experiences. This includes those with ‘Lived Experience’ of addiction, offending, or homelessness.

When we recruit, we welcome applications from everyone. This is inclusive of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion and/or belief, marriage and civil partnerships, pregnancy and maternity and socio-economic background. Where operationally possible, we will consider flexible working requests and make reasonable adjustments for all roles.

To find out more about Forward’s commitment to being an inclusive employer and our current EDI strategy click here. 

We want our recruitment process to be accessible to everyone. If you require any reasonable adjustments at any stage, please let us know.

Employee Screening and Eligibility to Work

Dependent on role you may be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service Check, details of which will be shared with you at interview.

If successful in your application, you will be required to provide eligibility to work evidence in line with the ‘Eligibility to Work in the UK’ requirements.

Our Commitment to Safeguarding

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and adults at risk. Forward Trust follow safer recruitment practices and support a culture of openness and accountability.